Model vehicle race track

ABSTRACT

A track section contains grooves and electrical contacts for model vehicles. The track section includes provision for rapid and positive mechanical and electrical aligned linear connection with adjacent track sections by registration of mating parts and simple relative lateral movement between the two sections. The connection is accomplished by the use of a single hook and a single corresponding opening on each end of the track section for engagement with mating elements of a like track section. There are corresponding detent means and corresponding tongue and mouth elements on each track section which serve to normally restrain lateral movement between adjacent track sections once they are connected. Electrical contact between adjacent track sections is maintained by conductor strip tabs which are arranged to permit positive electric assembly and snag-free disassembly of like adjacent track sections.

United States Patent [191 Martin MODEL VEHICLE RACE TRACK [75] Inventor:Donald E. Martin, Smithtown, NY.

[73] Assignee: Aurora Products Corp., West Hempstead, NY.

22 Filed: July 24,1972

21 Appl. No.: 274,402

Athearn 238/10 F Ernst 238/10 F Primary ExaminerM. Henson Wood, Jr.-Assistant ExaminerRichard A. Bertsch Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Amster &Rothstein [451 Aug. 20, 1974 57] ABSTRACT A track section containsgrooves and electrical contacts for model vehicles. The track sectionincludes provision for rapid and positive mechanical and electricalaligned linear connection with adjacent track sections by registrationof mating parts and simple relative lateral movement between the twosections, The connection is accomplished by the use of a single hook anda single corresponding opening on each end of the track section forengagement with mating elements of a like track section, There arecorresponding detent means and corresponding tongue and mouth elementson each track section which serve to normally restrain lateral movementbetween adjacent track sections once they are connected. Electricalcontact between adjacent track sections is maintained by conductor striptabs which are arranged to permit positive electric assembly andsnag-free disassembly of like adjacent track sections.

6 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PAIENTEB i 3.830.426 sum ear 2 MODELVEHICLE RACE TRACK The present invention relates generally to modelracing vehicles, and in particular to track sections for use therewith.

In recent times there has been an increasing interest in toy vehiclesystems in which miniature versions of automobiles, trucks, buses andother vehicles travel automatically on replicas of streets and highwaysunder remote control. The power is supplied to the vehicles by means ofconductors in the surface of the track which are contacted by brushes orconductors on the individual cars. The roadbed for model vehicle systemsgenerally attempts to conceal the guiding means and the necessaryelectrical contacts for the vehicles in an attempt at providing arealistic, controlled replica of a street or highway. Among thevariations of this basic idea which have appeared are models ofautomobile race courses which might vary in configuration from a simpleoval to a tortuous series of twists and turns.

The majority of the purchasers of miniature toy vehicle race courseslack the space to permit a track setup to remain in position for anextended length of time. Also, is a particular track configuration wereavailable only as an assembled unit, storage and handling of the unitwould be difficult for the manufacturer, the retailer and the consumer.Consequently, it is desirable to provide track sections of variousshapes which may be assembled and disassembled by the purchaser to formthe roadbed configuration desired.

A variety of miniature vehicle track sections have appeared wherein thesections are designed for rapid edge-to-edge assembly with a continuousroadbed surface and continuous electrical contact. The vehiclespropelled on the roadbed thus can remain in motion on the track systemunder control of the operator. While the interconnectable track sectionsof the prior art served to provide operative systems which generally metthe requirements of continuity noted, often the connections betweenadjacent track elements were difficult to make, resulted in trackmisalignment which interfered with the model vehicles progress orrequired track sections which were expensive to produce.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide animproved model vehicle track section which is capable of easyinterconnection with like track sections resulting in a continuouselectrically and mechanically interconnected roadbed.

Considerable relative lateral movement between connected track sectionscan normally be prevented by the use of mating, substantial, lateraldetent means on like track sections with a catch being designed foroperation in overcoming this substantial lateral detent during assemblythus permitting relatively easy erection and dismantling of adjacenttrack sections.

Accordingly, it is a more particular object of the present invention toprovide a track section for model vehicles which is easilyinterconnected with and disconnected from like track sections and whichremains normally interconnected in use.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a model vehicletrack construction which is extremely simple in structure and use,reliable and durable throughout it life and which can be economicallyproduced for sale at a reasonable price.

In an illustrative embodiment demonstrating certain aspects of theinvention, a track section for model vehicles for aligned linearinterconnection with like adjacent track sections is formed ofinsulating material. An elongated body of the track section has two endsand a substantially flat'top wall with upstanding side walls dependingtherefrom which support the top wall. A projection appears at each endof the track section with a laterally extending hook being fixed to eachof said projections. The hooks face in laterally opposite directions oneach end of the track section. A recess appears in each end of the tracksection which is constructed and arranged to receive a correspondingprojection of a like adjacent track section. A hook retaining meansappears at each end of the track section, spaced from the end thereof,for releasably engaging a corresponding laterally extending hook of alike adjacent track section. A detent means is located on each end ofthe track section for reacting with corresponding detent means of aninterconnected like adjacent track section for normally maintaining thealigned linear relationship of the two like adjacent track sections. Thecorresponding hooks and hook-retaining means are constructed andarranged to override coacting correspond ing detent means of likeadjacent track sections and engage the like adjacent track sections inresponse to the application of oppositely directed lateral forcesthereto.

As a feature of the invention, the hook retaining means within each endof each track section for receiving a laterally extending hook of a liketrack section may coact with a corresponding hook in a mnner to aid inovercoming the restraining force of the detent means during assembly ofadjacent track sections.

The above brief description as well as further objects, features andadvantages of the present invention will be more fully understood byreference to the following detailed description of the presentlypreferred but nonetheless illustrative embodiment in accordance with thepresent invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of one end of arepresentative form of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the track section of FIG. 1showing both ends thereof taken substantially along the line 22 of FIG.1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary bottom plan view showing an adjacent pair oftrack section end portions in an intermediate stage of connection;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom detail view of the tracksections of FIG. 3 showing the relationship between a hook andcorresponding opening and the relative alignment of detent means.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom plan view showing an adjacentpair of track section end portions connected together in end-to-endrelationship;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of a pair ofconnected track section end portions in coplanar alignment;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the tracksections of FIG. 6 shown at their limit along the line 9-9 of FIG. 1 andlooking in the direction of the arrows, showing the detent means of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial-sectional view of the end of the tracksection of FIG. 9 taken substantially along the line 10-10 and lookingin the directionv of the arrows.

Referring now specifically to the drawing and first to FIGS. 1-5, thereis shown an illustrative track section embodying features of the presentinvention, generally designated by the reference numeral 20, whichincludes a generally flat body 22 which may be formed of insulatingmaterial such as by being molding of plastic. The body 22 may be of anyshape or configuration including curved with portions thereof atdifferent levels to form part or all of a banked curve or a portion ofvirtually any desired track configuration. However, for simplicity ofdescription the track section and its body 22 are shown as being ofgenerally stright elongated configuration having a substantially flatelongated top wall 24 with upstanding longitudinally extending sidewalls 26, 28 depending therefrom. End walls 30, 32 depend from theunderside of one end of the top wall 24, extend partially thereacrossand are set back from the edge of the top wall for a purpose to bedescribed hereinafter. Similarly, end walls 34, 36 depend from theunderside of the other end of the top wall 24 and are similarly set backfrom the edge thereof. Each of the end walls 30 32, 34, 36 has a centraldepending extension 38, the bottom edge of which is coplanar with thebottom edge of the side walls 26, 28 for support of the track section 20when resting upon a table top or the like (not shown).

Two longitudinally-extending, upwardly facing grooves 40 extendlongitudinally across the length of the track section 20, open throughthe top wall 24 thereof and open at their opposite ends through the endwalls 30, 34, 32, 36. A narrower pair of grooves 42 is associated withand is equally spaced from each of the grooves 40 oneither side thereof.The grooves 42 are of equal longitudinal extent with the grooves 40 andlikewise open through the end walls 30, 34, 32, 36 at their oppositeends. The grooves 40 are defined within depressed troughs 44 (see FIG.2) on the underside of the top wall 24, while each of the grooves 42 aredefined within depressed troughs 46 on the underside of the top wall.The troughs 46 may be provided with transverse reinforcing ribs (notshown) to aid in lending rigidity to the structure. In a similar manner,the troughs 46 may be provided with transverse reinforcing ribs 48spaced inward of the end of the track section 20 for adding rigidity tothe structure.

The grooves 44 may be used for guiding a model vehicle along the tracksection 20 while elongated conductor strips 50 (see FIG. I), insertedwithin and coextensive with the grooves 42, supply positive and negativeelectrical connections to a source of electricity for powering the modelvehicle. Adjacent conductor strips 50 have tabs 52 and 52" formed ontheir ends which are bent inward toward each other to provide electricalinterconnection between adjacent track sections 20, 20a (see FIG. 5) ina manner to be described hereinafter.

A generally rectangular projection 54 is located at a corner of thetrack section 20 in amanner that its upper surface 54' is coplanar withthe top wall 24, its side wall 54 is coplanar with the side wall 28(see-FIG.

2) and the portion of its bottom surface 54" which extends beyond theend wall 32 is located above the bottom edge of the side wall 28. Asimilar projection 55 is located at the diagonally opposite end of tracksection 20 and is similarly aligned with its side wall 55" coplanar withthe side wall 26 of the track section 20.

A hook 56 is located on the laterally inward surface 58 of theprojection 54. The lower surface 60 of the hook 56 is coplanar with thelower surface 54' of the projection 54, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 10.A top surface 60 of the hook 56 is located below the top surface 54 ofthe projection 54. The hook 56 is thus located above the bottom edge ofthe track section 20 and below the top surface of the track section.

The hook 56 includes an upstanding, angled or oblique surface 64 on theinner surface thereof which assumes an obtuse included angle withrespect to the laterally inward surface 58. There is a correspondingbook 57 on the diagonally opposite projection 55 which faces laterallyinwardly as well. The hook 57 consequently faces in the oppositedirection from the hook 56 and has a corresponding angled or obliquesurface 65.

A recess 66 appears on the same end of the track section 20 as theprojection 54 at the laterally opposite side thereof. The recess 66 isbounded by two mutually perpendicular upstanding walls 68, 70 and athird mutually perpendicular laterally extending wall 72 which isparallel to the plane of the top wall 24. The recess 66 is open on theother sides and is approximately equal in size to the size of theprojection 54. The wall 70 (which is parallel to the side walls 26, 28)has an opening 74 therein which is constructed and arranged toreceivethe hook 56 of the like adjacent track section 200 (FIGS. 3 through 8)in a manner to be described hereinafter. As with the projections 54, 55and hooks 56, 57 a recess 67 which corresponds to the recess 66 appearswithin the diagonally opposite side of the track section 20.

A lateral detent 76, including a tongue 78 and a mouth 80, depends fromthe short end of the top wall 24 andis constructed and arranged so thatthe tongue and mouth are-equally distant from the longitudinal center ofthe top wall. A similar lateral detent 77 depends from the other shorterside of top wall 24 with a tongue 79 and mouth 81 thereof opposite thetongue 78 and mouth on the opposite side of the track section 20. Thetongue 78 is attached to the top wall 24 by a rigid extension 82 whichdoes not extend out beyond the shorter edge of the top wall 24. Thetongue 78 has an upper surface 84 (see FIG. 10) which is located belowthe top wall 24 and has a lower surface 86 which is located above thelower edge of the side walls 26, 28.

The mouth 80 has two substantially parallel lips 88 which depend from arigid downward extension 90 which, in turn, depends from the top wall 24without extending beyond the end thereof. The lips 88 are 60 joined attheir inner ends by an upstanding transverse The interconnection of liketrack sections 20, a is readily and positively accomplished as is seenwith reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the suffix a being consistently usedherein to denote a component of a second, adjacent like track section.Initially, a projection a of a like track section 20a is aligned withthe recess 66 of the first track section 20 while the projection 54 ofthe first track section is aligned with a recess 67a of the like tracksection. The hook 570 of the second track section 20a is insertedpartially within the opening 74 of the first track section 20 while thehook 56 of the first track section is likewise partially inserted in theopening 75a of the like track section resulting in the configurationdepicted in FIGS. 3 and 4. The track sections 20 and 20a are shown, inFIGS. 3 and 4, longitudinally misaligned and apart from one another withthe tongue 79a of the second track section abutting a lip 88 of thefirst track section. Due to the extension of the tongue 79a beyond theend of the top wall 24a, the tongue does not readily pass the lip 88 andthereby prevents immediate alignment of the track sections 20 and 20a.

Upon the exertion of laterally opposite inwardly directed forces on thetrack sections 20 and 20a urging them toward one another, the inclinedsurfaces 64 and 64a coact to draw the tracks 20 and 20a together. Thedetent action of the corresponding tongue and mouths is overridden bythe lateral force thereby forcing the tongue 79a to rest within themouth 80 and simultaneously causing the tongue 78 to rest within themouth 81a while aligning the grooves 40 with the grooves 400 as shown inFIG. 5. At the same time the oblique faces of the projections 54, 550have resolved the lateral forces into longitudinal forces to draw thesections 20, 20a together.

As noted hereinbefore, adjacent conductor strips 50 terminate ininwardly bent tabs 52, 52". The tabs 52', 52" at opposite ends of atypical conductor strip 50 are each bent so as to form different angleswith respect thereto (see FIG. 2). Tab 52' at the right end of topconductor strip 50 shown in FIG. 2 is bent toward the next adjacentstrip forming a substantially right included angle with the conductorstrip it is on the end of. Tab 52" at the left end of the same topconductor strip 50 is bent so as to form an obtuse included angle withrespect to said strip.

The conductor strip 50 adjacent the top conductor strip has tabs 52", 52on its right and left ends respectively which are bent toward the topconductor strip tabs. The tab 52" of the next-to-top conductor strip 50forms an obtuse included angle therewith, while the tab 52' thereofforms a substantially right angle with said strip. The remainingadjacent conductor strips 50 include tabs 52', 52" thereon which aresimilarly arranged.

As may be noted with greatest clarity in FIGS. 3 and 4, the alternatingincluded angle arrangement of tabs 52', 52 with respect to conductorstrips 50 results in a tab 52 with a substantially right included anglebeing adjacent a tab 52a" with an obtuse included angle of an adjacentaligned track section 20a.

When adjacent track sections 20, 20a are assembled, (see FIG. 5) theadjacent tabs 52', 52a" thereof contact one another to provide therequisite electrical continuity between the track sections. The anglednature of the tabs 52, 52a is such that a positive spring effect iscreated therebetween, insuring a good connection. During the disassemblyprocess, the different angle between adjacent tabs 52, 52a of adjacenttrack sections 20, 20a reduces the possibility of engagement betweensaid adjacent tabs 52, 52a" with attendant damage thereto.

The extension of the tongues 78, 79 beyond the edges of the top wall 24as well as the location of the corresponding mouths results in positiveprevention of normal relative lateral movement between adjacent tracksections 20, 20a and prevents unwanted lateral separation of the tracksections until such separation is desired. Separation of the tracks isaccomplished by reversing the direction of the lateral force applied tothe track sections 20 and 20a resulting in a reversal of the order ofevents described hereinbefore.

Once the tracks are connected, a certain amount of limited relativeflexion therebetween is permitted as illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8.FIG. 6 shows the normal or unflexed position of the two track sctions 20and 20a with the projection 55a resting on the surface 7 2.

In FIG. 7, the limit of convex upward motion of the track sections 20and 20a is shown as determined by the contact of the upper left edge ofthe hook 57a with the upper surface of the opening 74 as well as thecontact between the lower inner edge of the projection 55a with thesurface 72.

FIG. 8 shows the limit of the permitted concave downward relativemovement between the track sections as determined by the contact betweenthe lower forward edge of the projection 55a with the surface 72 as wellas by the contact between the leading lower edge of the hook 57a withthe lower surface of the opening 74. In addition, the coaction betweenthe upper surface 84 of the tongue 78 and the lower roof surface of thedownward extension on adjacent like track sections 20, 20a furtherlimits flexion therebetween.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides atrack construction for model vehicles which is simple to interconnectwith other like track sections due to the features described above. Theinterconnection is especially simple and strong due to the fact thatonly a single hook and opening need be engaged with a correspondingsingle hook and opening on an adjacent like track section to provide aconstruction which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is welladapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and use.

As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the inventiondescribed may be used in other specific forms without departing from itsspirit or essential characteristics. The present embodiment is,therefore, to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, thescope of the invention being indicated by the claims rather than by theforegoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning andrange of equivalence of the claims are therefore intended to be embracedtherein.

What is claimed is:

l. A track section for model vehicles for aligned linear interconnectionwith like adjacent track sections comprising an elongated body ofinsulating material having two ends, a substantially flat top wall withupstanding side walls depending therefrom, a single projection from eachend of said track section, a single laterally extending hook being fixedto each of said projections, said hooks facing in laterally oppositedirections, a recess in each end of said track section constructed andarranged to receive a corresponding projection of a like adjacent tracksection, a hook retaining means at each end of said track section spacedfrom the end thereof for releasably engaging a corresponding laterallyextending hook of a like adjacent track section, and detent meanslocated on each end of said track section for coacting withcorresponding detent means of an interconnected like adjacent tracksection for normally maintaining said aligned linear relationship ofsaid two like adjacent track sections, each corresponding hook and hookretaining means including means for urging like adjacent track sectionstoward one another and into engagement in response to the application ofoppositely directed lateral forces thereto, thereby overriding coactingcorresponding detent means of said like adjacent track sections.

2. A track section for model vehicles according to claim 1 wherein saidurging means includes a contact surface obliquely disposed with respectto said end of said track section, said contact surface beingconstructed and arranged to coact with a corresponding hook retainingmeans of a like adjacent track section to override said coactingcorresponding detent means of a like adjacent track section, urge saidtrack sections toward one another and establish said aligned linearrelationship therebetween in response to the application of oppositelydirected lateral forces thereto.

3. A track section for model vehicles according to claim 2 wherein saiddetent means includes tongue and mouth means, said tongue projectinglongitudinally with respect to the end of said track section and saidmouth having an opening projecting longitudinally at least acorresponding amount with respect to the end of said track section, saidmouth having lips and a roof constructed and arranged to normally limitmovement of a tongue of a like adjacent track section engaged in alignedlinear relationship between said lips and roof.

4. A track section for model vehicles according to claim 3 wherein eachend of said track section has only one hook and one opening for coactingwith a corresponding hook and opening of a like adjacent track section.

5. A track section for model vehicles according to claim 4 wherein saidhook retaining means includes an upstanding longitudinally extendingwall at least partially bounding each of said recesses with an openingtherein constructed and arranged to engage a corresponding laterallyextending hook of a like adjacent track section.

6. A track section for model vehicles according to claim 1 including atleast one pair of longitudinally ex tending conducting strips havingends, said conducting strips being mounted on said track section, eachof said conducting strips terminating in a tab on each end thereof, eachof said tabs being constructed and arranged to define an included anglebetween said tab and said conducting strip, said included angles beingdifferent on different ends of said track section for the sameconducting strip and different on the same ends of adjacent conductingstrips whereby adjacent tabs of like adjacent track sections definedifferent included angles.

1. A track section for model vehicles for aligned linear interconnectionwith like adjacent track sections comprising an elongated body ofinsulating material having two ends, a substantially flat top wall withupstanding side walls depending therefrom, a single projection from eachend of said track section, a single laterally extending hook being fixedto each of said projections, said hooks facing in laterally oppositedirections, a recess in each end of said track section constructed andarranged to receive a corresponding projection of a like adjacent tracksection, a hook retaining means at each end of said track section spacedfrom the end thereof for releasably engaging a corresponding laterallyextending hook of a like adjacent track section, and detent meanslocated on each end of said track section for coacting withcorresponding detent means of an interconnected like adjacent tracksection for normally maintaining said aligned linear relationship ofsaid two like adjacent track sections, each corresponding hook and hookretaining means including means for urging like adjacent track sectionstoward one another and into engagement in response to the application ofoppositely directed lateral forces thereto, thereby overriding coactingcorresponding detent means of said like adjacent track sections.
 2. Atrack section for model vehicles according to claim 1 wherein saidurging means includes a contact surface obliquely disposed with respectto said end of said track section, said contact surface beingconstructed and arranged to coact with a corresponding hook retainingmeans of a like adjacent track section to override said coactingcorresponding detent means of a like adjacent track section, urge saidtrack sections toward one another and establish said aligned linearrelationship therebetween in response to the application of oppositelydirected lateral forces thereto.
 3. A track section for model vehiclesaccording to claim 2 wherein said detent means includes tongue and mouthmeans, saId tongue projecting longitudinally with respect to the end ofsaid track section and said mouth having an opening projectinglongitudinally at least a corresponding amount with respect to the endof said track section, said mouth having lips and a roof constructed andarranged to normally limit movement of a tongue of a like adjacent tracksection engaged in aligned linear relationship between said lips androof.
 4. A track section for model vehicles according to claim 3 whereineach end of said track section has only one hook and one opening forcoacting with a corresponding hook and opening of a like adjacent tracksection.
 5. A track section for model vehicles according to claim 4wherein said hook retaining means includes an upstanding longitudinallyextending wall at least partially bounding each of said recesses with anopening therein constructed and arranged to engage a correspondinglaterally extending hook of a like adjacent track section.
 6. A tracksection for model vehicles according to claim 1 including at least onepair of longitudinally extending conducting strips having ends, saidconducting strips being mounted on said track section, each of saidconducting strips terminating in a tab on each end thereof, each of saidtabs being constructed and arranged to define an included angle betweensaid tab and said conducting strip, said included angles being differenton different ends of said track section for the same conducting stripand different on the same ends of adjacent conducting strips wherebyadjacent tabs of like adjacent track sections define different includedangles.